I'm certainly interested to see where this thread goes as this is undoubtedly a controversial question; not unlike the old Ford Chevy argument.

Unfortunately the answer is not so cut and dry, in my opinion.
Both companies produce good quality products and both produce products I would never ever install.

My best advice would be to ask for references of the installers and call these customers to get a sense of their business ethics and reputation. This is an industry where people dig in the ground, physical labor that does not necessarilly require the same cranial capacity as say brain surgery. You are far better off establishing a relationship with an honest contractor who is in it for the long haul than one of the many "here today, gone tomorrow, dont want to hear from you with any problems" irrigation contractors out there. Also you can call the local distributors and ask for their preferred contractors, they are generally not allowed to steer business to particular contractors, wink wink nod nod, but when I worked for a Toro distributor we would certainly provide 2 or 3 of our absolute best contractors for those industrious enough to call and ask.

One last note, Hunter heads used to cost the distrubutors somewhat less than Toro heads, this could account for the difference, but this may also have changed.

good luck

Your system will ONLY be as good as the integrity & ingenuity of the installers. Toro, Rainbird, Hunter all make good products, some w/ better applications than others. Some installers mix it up a bit, and some are "loyal" to only one brand, as they and/or their vendors are likely involved in incentive programs from the manufacturers. Can you say Cabo San Lucas and Rainbird in January??
...Mrs Fluff, you did well in getting more than one bid, but do check that the bidders are all bidding "apples to apples", or are they all submitting bids based on their own (different) designs? Ask for & get references, talk to happy, satisfied & repeat customers, and expect a full written estimate w/ details on length and coverage of warranty...fare thee well!

fwiw
Put in Hunter Rotors & Toro pop-up sprays here 5yrs ago. Get used twice a week all year round, they only get rainy days off.
Not really a single problem with them.

Hey, thanks all. I did in fact get three written estimates - they are all apples to apples so to say with the only minor difference being a few sprayers here and few more heads there. I don't need sprayers - all my landscaping is pretty much low maintenance - no "flowers". Anyway, the company that gave me the high bid is the one that was referred to me via this site by "irrigationguy" - (Jersey Shore Lawn Sprinklers). I was told they were pricey but also that they are very professional. So far, they are. You can see that the way they conduct business is a cut above. The other 2 estimates were both Hunter and they were about the same price/per head or zone. There was only thing I was leery about with one of them and that is that their advertisement states they are BBB members but when I checked, they weren't! I said something and the office person acted surprised and said she was going to look into it as "they are members" according to her. Hmmm. Anyway, with all the problems I have had with various contractors over the past couple of years, I am inclined to go with Jersey Shore. I may cut the job to only the front yard as the back yard is a work in progress and it seems like we would have to rip out sprinklers down the road if we go ahead and put them in in the interim. "more to grow: I'm confused about your statement that "both companies produce quality products but neither of which you would ever install". Please explain further. Thanks!

Mrs Fluff, yup ya did your homework! I wish more homeowners were as diligent as you - as you actually keep us on our toes. If you decide to leave the B.Y. for a later project, but pretty much know you want future drip & lawn zones, have the same company run out the mainline & stub out valves for future hookup? Then in the future, just run your laterals and heads, and dripline...don't know what your trenching conditions are where you are on the E. coast, but out here, the trenching is a major headache, typically using a mini excavator and a guy w/ a breaker bar, as the ground is more rock than soil.

Thanks Kmac, yes I DO do my homework! I am totally ignorant to irrigation so all the more I have to try to learn whatever I can along the way. I don't know about out there, but here in my neck of the woods, you can't trust most contractors. They do try to just come in and get the job done QUICK and maybe not so professionally -- and then forget follow-up. The contractor that gave me the high bid was actually more diligent in trying to save me money, i.e., he said I didn't need irrigation in certain areas and gave me a price with and without. I think I may go with them but I'm also debating getting additional bids. On the other hand, I am a firm believer of you get what you pay for - so perhaps I'll just go with my gut here. Time to make some calls...

Mrs Fluff,
My (professional) opinion? Go w/ your gut; you won't be calling another company in to correct what the 'high bid' guy would have done right in the first place.I work for a landscape contracting company that has been in business for over 28 years. Yes, we are not usually going to be the low bidder - but, we will be there if and when you do call back with a concern or problem, and we love all the work we get based on referrals by good customers.
Every once in awhile when I am out doing an estimate, the (potential) customer will say something like "oh, we'll get that taken care of by Uncle Fred, he's in the business", or "I can go to Home Depot and do that myself for that kinda money"... and you don't know how many times I would like to just tell them " pay me now, or pay me later".

Mrs Fluff,
I'm sorry I was not clear and perhaps a bit too wordy as well. Simply put I meant to say that Hunter and Toro both produce great products but have also produced products that didnt cut the mustard, at least in this region. Not to worry any good installer, such as Jersey Shore who I have heard of, will only use those items which are tried and true. I, personally, would never go for the "low bidder" as I have seen far too many horror stories with fly-by-night irrigation hackers doing shoddy work.

Hey more to grow,
I am in fact taking the advice of those 'of the forum' as well as going with my gut. The high bidder it is. Thus far, they have been about as professional as it gets. :) They even sent a thank-you card BEFORE I decided just to say they appreciate allowing them to provide an estimate, etc. I like companies who do business as I would. The day after I called and gave my deposit, they had the gas company do a mark out and the telephone co followed. So, I'm all set for March 18. I'm actually feeling confident for once that I won't be facing a nightmare as I have with so many other companies. I'll report back...

Hey Mrs fluff, did Aquarius refer you to this contractor? Just curious, hope it works out.